Westlake in the early AM

Click on the photo to see every ounce of this idyllic scene.

We had guests over the weekend. On Saturday morning, we grabbed some coffee, our Boston Terrier (The Dude), and began our day with a brisk walk around Westlake Lake. Ah! The pleasures of walking around this little gem of a lake! The beauty of the area is riveting, serenity a given as we soaked in the stunning location and got in a little exercise. A great way to start the day!

Anything can become art

We found this chandelier at Anthropologie in Carmel by the Sea, CA. It is a testament to the fact that if you give a true artist just about any medium, they can delight the eye with the most amazing things. Take for instance all the gathered objects, from spoons to silver trays turned upside down to create the layers, to strands of vintage jewelry, an old wind up alarm clock, and so on. We ourselves have been fortunate to be a part of Anthropologie's design team and to help with the artistic frosting of a newly acquired space. A visual team from all over the United States swoops in to rescue a plain Jane, turning her into a visual treat for the eyes.

~Is this art or utilitarian, or both?~

~A close-up view~

What's in a top stylists makeup bag???

Rachel Zoe is back for another season on Bravo.

She has an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, Baanaannaass...amount of "good stuff" in her makeup bag. Some of it is attainable and others just go on my "wish list". We did go over the weekend to Nordstrom's where most of these items can be purchased and tested them out. We have to admit~Rachel does know a thing or two about what it takes to look really great!

Givenchy Phenomen' Eyes in Phenomen' Black~$28.00

(for Brigitte Bardot eyes)

La Prairie Luxe Eye Liner Automatique in Granite~$50.00

La Prairie Cellular Radiance Cream Blush in Honey Glow~$70.00

La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare~$1,000.00

(It's the most luxurious moisturizer, says Rachel)-we will have to trust you on this one!

La Prairie Life Threads Silver~$125.00

Tuberose and Jasmine notes.

Chanel Sublimage Serum Essential Regenerating Concentrate~$400.00-ditto on this too!

Chanel Le Vernis (nail color)

Colors: Intermezzo and Vamp

Giorgio Armani Luminious Silk Foundation 5.5~$58.00

"The best foundation I've ever used", says Rachel.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Eye Liner in Black~$30.00

(easy to apply-doesn't run)

YSL Touche Eclat 3~$40.00

(to camouflage the dark circles under eyes)

MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder~$21.00

Never cakey, removes excess shine.

Nars the Multiple Stick in Malibu~$37.00

Instant sun-kissed look for cheeks and lips.

Lancome Genifique Eye Youth Activating Eye concentrate~$59.00

Perfect amount of moisture without being greasy.

Dior Addict Ultragloss Reflect~$25.50

Color: Draped Burgundy 957 (not the color shown)

MAC Pigment Glitter in Reflects Gold~$19.50

Rachel adds a dab in the corners of her eyes to open them up.

Not Shown were:

Serge Lutens Clair de Musc~ $120.00

(powdery scent)

Rodial Glam Balm~$80.00

Great for travel to moisturize lips, face and hands.

So just for fun, visit your nearest department store and let them do a makeover on you. It's a great way to learn about the newest trends in makeup and give yourself a little boost. Be the best you-you can be, inside and out.

kisses,

beckwithroad

Fall Fashion 2010

~Louis Vuitton~

Fifties & Sixties inspired line by Marc Jacobs. Bouncy Ponytails, clean makeup and ultra feminine.

~L'Wren Scott~

A favorite designer at the Golden Globes, knocked them dead with her Tuxedo Terrace Collection. Exquisite!

~Derek Lam~

Impressive sweater dressing with a peek of Terra Cotta suede. Yummy!

~Chloe'~

Hannah MacGibbon broke rank with her predecessors to direct the line towards young professionals. 70's "Charlie" hair. Did you save your denim shirts? You might want to dig them out.

~Marni~

This is a piece from Consuelo Castiglioni's resort wear.

~Ralph~

Now we saved the best for last (in our humble opinion). But 40 years in the biz, he should be way ahead of the game, and he is! I want this coat. This coat is not just a one trick pony. No this is a statement, forever piece.

Can we just say this is an incredible hat! And scarf!

I want that, p-l-e-a-s-e.

It doesn't appear you will have to put away your strappy sandals in the fall. Ralph is pairing them with black opaque tights.

Scarves have been big for awhile. This one is decadent and wrapped in such a swanky way.

One of our favorite models showing the type of detail that makes you want to bite your knuckles and wish the clothing fairy would just drop this one down on you. Great job Ralph!

Fall trend, long sleeved tee shirts under short sleeved dresses. We're charmed!

So here's the deal, fall is coming up and we want our BeckwithRoad readers to know what's up. Grab your camel coat, denim shirt, sweater sets, scarves, strappy sandals, black tights, tone down the makeup and smooth down the hair. Enjoy being a woman and don't settle for a tee shirt and jeans all the time. For goodness sakes, make a statement! Look at Derek Lam's terra cotta suede goodness peeking through. You know you can rock this.

~Good Design is lovely, year after year~

cote de Texas picture

BECKWITH ROAD

Beckwith Road. 

The place that started up our culinary adventures. Smell, taste, eat. 

That sums up our Holidays like the one in the picture. Bouchon Bakery, Younteville, Ca. (Napa), one of Thomas Kellers gems, in "Kellerville." The Macroons, Napeleons, Nutter Butters, Financiers and on and on....A visit in this part of California will assault your visual senses. No matter what the season, there is beauty to be found here. 

Food is my passion. I love cooking it, eating it, talking about it and I love teaching cooking classes. I am a vegetarian although I do use meats for classes and catering.I will, however, eat one meat dish for sure, Tra Vigne's Smokey Ribs slowly, perfectly executed on a pillow of creamy polenta, it still makes me weak just thinking about it. 

Some of you have been students over the years. What a wonder to see some of you discover your hidden creative talent. Well, I've had plenty of teachers Myself, Cecilia DeCastro (she got her start with Wolfgang Pucks

 years ago (I sometimes see her at the Oscars when that camera pans to the kitchen), Marlene Sorosky, Martha Stewart, Carol Fields, Alice Medrich, Ken Frank, well the list goes on and on. These classes were amazing and it was fun to be able to assist many of these Icons of the food world as well. For those of you who do not know me, (Jan), I worked in the garment industry for years, My degree was in Fashion Arts, Culinary School, Assisted Chefs and cookbook authors at Culinary School, belonged to a professional culinary group that included Julia Child, took many classes, catered often (although I prefer teaching) and somehow ended up working in Cardiology (go figure).

As for Kristen, she was a figure skater, taking lessons from Frank Carol (of Olympic fame), as well as a  lover of fashion and beauty products. A magazine junkie, American, European, et al.Having the fortunate opportunity to work with Artisans from around the country who were truly gifted beyond imagination. A former Visual Manager for l'Occitane en Provence in New York and running stores in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Pleasanton, Sherman Oaks and Thousand Oaks. She has had the fortune to meet and work with brilliant people within the beauty industry. She now travels to Canada as well as throughout the United States for beauty product updates.

Our goal is to bring you awareness of what's new in food, home, garment and beauty.

We hope you will visit us often. We have many surprises in store for you.